Adventist

The Seventh-Day Adventist Church is a Protestant Christian denomination originating in the mid-19th century C.E. in the northeast United States. The Adventist Church grew out of the Millerite movement, which was based on the teachings of William Miller. Miller believed the Bible had within it coded dates for the end of the world and claimed that the second coming of Jesus Christ was to occur between 1843 and 1844. Once the date passed without Jesus' return, some abandoned the tradition while others continued, believing they had misinterpreted scripture. Those who remained with the tradition would become the Adventist Church, still believing that the second coming of Jesus Christ was near. Besides the pre-millennial theology regarding the end of the world, another primary distinguishing characteristic of the Adventist Church among Protestant Christian denominations is the observance of the Sabbath on Saturday, the seventh day. In addition to Sabbath-keeping, the Adventist Church also observes various dietary laws rooted in the Hebrew scriptures, including the abstinence from eating pork, shellfish, and other "unclean" foods as defined in Leviticus, as well as of tobacco and alcohol. Another defining characteristic of the Adventist Church is their adherence to the spiritual teachings of Ellen G. White, whom they consider to be a prophet of God. Besides some of these unique doctrines, the Adventist Church maintains most standard Protestant Christian theologies including the authority of the Bible, the Trinity of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and salvation through Jesus Christ. The Adventist Church is one of the fasting growing denominations in the world due to strong missionary activity.